Similar Pages

Seventeen Days of Gold Chapter Three The alarm beeped incessantly. I banged on the top of the clock. Still beeping...what the hell time is it? Must be my cell phone. I hung my head over the edge of the bed to rummage in my purse, bad idea. I finally answered the phone, silencing the annoying beeping. It was the lieutenant, he needed me to come in right away. Of course, only when I have a hangover. I clicked the phone closed and stared at the ceiling. Now I know why I try to stay away from that "firewater". I never held it very well anyway. It was 5:30 in the morning. Why in God's name did he need to see me at this hour? It better be good, I thought, prying myself off the bed. I showered quickly and threw on jeans and a sweatshirt. It's not like he said I needed to come in in my military blues. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and after checking the bags under my eyes, decided the sunglasses were a must. I contemplated jogging to the lieutenant’s office to try to burn off this hangover, but decided against it. I didn't particularly feel like ralphing my way through Salt Lake City. I got a phone number for a cab from the concierge downstairs, had a glass of orange juice and nibbled some toast from the "continental breakfast" while I waited. I tried to imagine what I was getting called in for. He didn't sound pissed or anything, just rushed. I shrugged and thought back to last night. I smiled.  Hopefully my meeting wouldn't take too long and I could get back to business in Park City with Jimmy. ******************** I thumbed through the file I had just been handed and looked back at the lieutenant. "Chuck, you can't be serious." I said, incredulously. "The FBI is taking this matter very seriously, and you should too." He replied sternly. "But Chuck, this is just bullshit." I said, waving the file about. "These emails and phone calls...they're just being sore losers, that's all. You can't possibly think something would happen." "We must take all necessary precautions." "And you don't think it's being paranoid?" "We have reason to believe it's real." "Who's watching right now?" "The local PD--" Chuck started. "And they can't just do it?” I cut him off. “Without having to reassign me?" He shook his head. "This is a federal matter now." He answered. "Besides there's a little more to it." "Uh-oh." I said, frowning. So far the news hadn't been good. I had just been taken off my Park City duties to be the personal bodyguard for, of all people, Apolo Ohno. Another altercation in last night's race had prompted death threats from Korean sympathizers. I guess that explains why he was back at the hotel so early last night. But this all seemed so petty. Why would they waste my time and experience on some 19-year-old speed skater? It felt almost like a demotion. And what I was hearing now wasn't making my stomach feel any better: they wanted to pass me off as his girlfriend. "Why me? Why not Shannon? She's closer to his age." I whined. "She's not as experienced in one-on-one security situations." Explained Chuck. "Besides, you look younger than you actually are." "Thanks." I said, sullenly. "Although I recommend you getting that gray covered up before you go out in public with him." "I can't believe you just said that." I gasped in mock-anger. Chuck laughed, although I knew he was serious. He was a good guy, I had been working with him for several years now. At least you could count on him to be to the point. "Look, Mica. If I didn't think you would be the best suited for this job, I wouldn't have called you." His words made me feel a little better, but I resented not even having a choice if I wanted to stay with Park City or do this. Shit, now I will have to sit indoors with the skaters all day. I was not looking forward to this. Chuck ordered someone over his two-way to "send them in". Apparently, I would get the formal introduction. "I don't know how I'm going to pull this off, Chuck." I sighed. "This Apolo and I are nothing alike." "Oh?" He said surprised. "You've met? I thought you two would have a lot in common." "Don't believe everything you hear about me."  I said, and stood up to greet Apolo and an older gentleman who followed him. "Micalene, please meet Mr. Yuki Ohno and his son Apolo." Chuck went through the formalities. "Agent Whitesky has agreed to be Mr. Apolo's personal security guard." "That is wonderful to hear." Said Yuki, shaking my hand. "I am happy that this has been taken care of so quickly." "You're getting the best." Said Chuck. I tried not to laugh and shook hands with Apolo. "Hey, how are you feeling?" Apolo asked, smiling, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He had quite a disarming smile, I must say, for I blushed despite myself. "Heh, yeah, well..." I laughed, pulling my sunglasses out of my hair and putting them back on. "I suppose I've been better." "And I guess I wasn't helping?" He inquired about my bitchy attitude last night. "Oh, that...I just wasn't quite myself, you know?" That was about as close to an apology as he was getting. Chuck ran through the particulars. At least he's giving me a chance to get my act together. The PD was going to oversee his practice this morning while I moved myself into the room next to his, which has just conveniently been made vacant. And I mustn't forget the required visit to the salon, I thought sarcastically. The meeting ended, and Apolo and Yuki exited, followed closely by a Salt Lake mountie. I let my disagreement with Chuck's decision show in my face, as I gathered up my "study materials". "Don't worry. You'll do fine." Chuck said, reading my thoughts. "Just don't believe everything you hear about him." Copyright Material TMS2002 Chapter 3, con't Back to Chapter 2, pt.2 Return to Home   page created with Webpage Designer (NS)